Nut pinkeep

I have made these little nut pinkeeps over the years, they make lovely gifts for someone who sews. Small and easy to attach to a sewing basket,these pinkeeps are easy to make, the hardest part is cracking the walnut shell in half.

For each pinkeep you need a half walnut shell, a bit of fabric, I like to use a velvet but they look equally cute with a cotton print, a little trim (lace, ricrac etc)stuffing, (polyfiber or my preference, old wool, sawdust,), some ribbon for hanging nut pinkeep, and hot glue gun and glue sticks. Pins to embellish. Sealer for nut, i like to use shellac flakes but a spray sealer is fine as well. This will just make sure no little insects get into the nut.
Seal your nutshell.
Cut your fabric about an 1" larger than the diameter of nutshell. Run a gathering stitch around egde of fabric using strong thread or double your thread. Pull up thread to so fabric fits inside rim of nutshell. Fasten off thread. Glue fabric to just inside nut shell, leaving a small opening for stufing. Stuff shell and fill up fabric until you have the shape required. Glue opening closed.Stitch gather lace or trim of choice around fabric edge. glue or stitch thin ribbon where lace and fabric join, leaving a long tail end to make loop for hanging. Knot ends of loop. Place pins in fabric to embellish and your little nutpinkeep is completed.

Tips for Ageing

My favourite tip for ageing is burnt umber. I love this stuff and use it on most of my pieces.
Place a little on a cloth and using your finger under the cloth, gently rub burnt umber in places to age, especially around edges and corners. I use it on paper, cloth, wood, clay well anything and everything.
Another thing I use frequently is shellac. Shellac is basically used for french polishing but makes a great ageing medium as well. Shellac is mixed with methelated spirits and the liquid can then be applied to paper, wood, fabrics, clay. Be sure you have done all you need to do on fabric like stitching etc before adding shellac as item will get quite hard.
To make great aged tags, paint your paper with one coat shellac, let dry completely, then write your wording once dry. Shellac on paper gives it a lovely almost waxy feel and your paper won't tear as easily.